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Monday, July 16, 2012

Solidarity in Action OWS

Solidarity in Action

Occupy Wall Street NYC

"The People, United,
Will Never be Defeated"

Occupy Wall Street is a diverse group encompassing many
viewpoints. As stated in our founding documents we come together under a
unified purpose: to bring about a change in the world. Our movement is built on
a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Each of us brings forth notions as
to what strategic choices get the best results, therefore a diversity of
tactics can and will be employed to effect this change. Solidarity is the way
in which our diversity remains our strength.

We have much common ground to stand upon. We believe that global
corporate, political, military, prison, media, food supply, medical, and
educational institutions are serving only the interests of the richest 1% of
people. We all agree that it's time for fundamental and radical change to take
place. We are committed to putting what resources we have available towards
making this change a reality. We all want to dismantle systems of corporate
greed and inequity in a way that protects our bodies, lives, rights and the
planet.

As we take to the streets, airwaves and Internet together, let’s
prioritize solidarity, and agree to disagree with respect. Keep in mind that
the following are not rules, but rather guidelines we can agree to utilize to
build real solidarity with one another despite our differences.

Personal

BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY AND LANGUAGE

Never attack another person with physical
violence.

Refrain from verbally abusive language at all
times. (see below for definition)

Refrain from personal attacks, gossip and
slander.
This includes in person, online, on livestream, twitter, facebook or in
the media

If you take issue with a comrade, speak about
it to them directly with hope of resolution. If none can be had, seek
mediation. If mediation doesn't work, keep your distance & refrain
from malicious gossip.

ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT WITHIN OWS:

Begin each interaction with fellow activists
with the assumption of mutual good intentions. Remember that each of us
come to our own beliefs and priorities through thoughtful consideration
of our life experiences.

Don't let disagreements lay the ground for
resentment. Engaging respectfully about disagreement deepens all of our
understanding of the problems we face.

Avoid perpetuating gossip and hearsay. If
someone tells you something you don't think is founded, lovingly
challenge them to cite their sources, or go to the source yourself.

Critique our movement in a spirit of respect.
Avoid bad mouthing groups - we are all acting within our best intentions.
If you think a group could do better, consider joining the group and
adding your viewpoint.

Listen without getting defensive. Be
open in thinking, not rigid in positions.

Never accuse a person of being an undercover
cop, infiltrator or paid agitator without solid proof to back it up.

KEEP YOUR OWN POWER IN CHECK

The system we live in sets some of us up to
be gatekeepers- it’s each of our responsibility to keep this in check
within ourselves. When you are an arbiter of resources offered to OWS,
work to distribute them fairly and horizontally. Be accountable &
rotate out of positions of perceived power often. Share the keys to the
Gate.

Do not make assumptions based on
another’s appearance, ethnicity, race, gender, age, sexual preference,
dis/ability, economic position or housing status. None of these are
qualifications to determine whether someone is a ‘real occupier’.

Street

ENCOURAGE A PEACEFUL ATMOSPHERE

Respect the principles of nonviolence unless the action is advertised to be a
"wildcat" march

Do not attack other protesters, members of
the media, bystanders or police officers.

Do not turn people over to the police.

EMPLOY ARREST STRATEGICALLY

If participants of an action will be making
themselves vulnerable to arrest, make sure that all participants are
aware of that intent and know how and when to act to either be part or
separate from this group.

Do not intentionally put people at risk who
have not chosen it. Protect those who may not be ‘eligible’ for arrest,
due to immigration status, prior convictions, parenting responsibilities etc.

Don't use arrest as a measure of how
"radical" a person is. Don't use arrest to elevate a person's
status. Many people live with the fear of arrest on a daily basis.
Glorifying civil disobedience arrests is disrespectful of what people in
poor communities suffer every day of their lives.

RESPECT ALLIES

Respect the work of all medics, legal
observers and independent media people.

Practice mutual aid: Share food, water and
medical supplies. Assist those who are hurt, gassed, shot or beaten. Help
carry banners & signs. Participate in clean up & child care.

Respect a group’s right to choose the time,
place and tone of their action. Because some tactics overrun the
space of others, if you choose to participate in an action, do so within
the strategies set. If you do not agree, do not participate.

Be respectful of members of the community
that live & work in the community around the action (individuals,
local businesses, schools, etc.)

Media

REITERATE AUTONOMY

Always begin interviews by stating that the
views you are sharing are yours alone and do not represent Occupy Wall
Street as a whole.

Talk about your strategy, not the strategy of
others to the press.

ACKNOWLEDGE OTHERS

Mention the existence of other groups and the
role they play in creating change.

Do not denounce other activists to the press.

Share media contacts with others, do not
monopolize the media’s attention.

If you find yourself getting offered speaking
engagements often, suggest other people to take your place.

When talking about any disagreement about
strategy and tactics, state that we honor a diverse approach

SPEAK STRATEGICALLY

Condemn police repression and brutality.

Use the words ‘violence’ and ‘nonviolence’
with care. Terminology can be turned against us easily.

If you are asked about illegal activities by
the press, refrain from providing incriminating evidence. “no comment” is
one suggested answer.

Jail Solidarity

Everyone is Jail Support. If you participated
or helped to organize an action, it's your responsibility to support those
arrested.

No one is free until all of us are free.

Definition of Verbally Abusive Language in the context of this
conversation:

*****This document was written collectively by a small group of OWS activists in New York City. It represents their perspectives and values. It does not claim to speak for the whole of NYC OWS or Occupy Wall Street. It is merely a list of recommendations on how to build and maintain real solidarity within a diverse community of activists.